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(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 2. r

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. MAGHINBFOR CUTTING GRAIN, No. 286,980. Patented Got. 16, 1883.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

S. K. WHITE. MACHINE FOR CUTTING GRAIN.

No. 286,980. r Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

f r" I II c. A? t "i W Jr?! 2195' Jaavex {arr i 5M W UNITED STATESSAMUEL K. YVHITE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO EDIVARD P. HATCH,OF SAME PLACE.

PATENT Clarion MACHINE FOR CUTTING GRAI 'NL SPECIFICATION forming m ofLetters Patent No. 286,980, dated October 16, 1883. Application filedNovember 13, 1882. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL K. XVIIITE, residing at Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, and a citizen of the UnitedStates, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Machine forCutting Grain, of which the following is a full description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a sideelevation. Figs. 1 and 1". are detail views of the devices for lockingthe sections of the feed-plate in position; Fig. 2, a detail in section,showing the feeding and cutting plates or disks'and the receptacles;Fig. 3, a top or plan view of the feeding plate or disk; Fig. 4, a topor plan View of the cutting disk or plate; Fig. 5, a detail of the underside of the cutting disk or plate at the knife= opening; Figs. 6 and 7,a top and under view, respectively, of the knife-frame and knife; Fig.8, a detail enlarged and in section on line y y of Fig. 6; Fig. 9,asection, being an edge view of the cutting disk or plate at theknifeopening. 'Ihis invention relates to certain improvements in agrain-cutting machine for which Letters Patent No. 251,012 were grantedto Andrew emple, dated December 13, 1881, and has for its objects toimprove the cutting plate or disk in reference to the manner ofinserting, withdrawing, and adjusting the knife, and to improve theconstructionand operation of the delivery or feeding devices; and itconsists in the several devices and combinations of devices hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, A represents the cuttingdisk or plate, which may bemade of steel or other suitable material that will withstand the strainand effects of use, which plate may be varied in diameter to suitmachines of different sizes and the capacity which it is desired suchmachines shall have. This disk or plate is formed of an annular rimjoined to a center or hub, a, by arms d, and its upper face is left flator in a level plane, and its under side may be strengthened by ribs orflanges, if so desired; or it may be formed thicker at the center thanat the periphery, or formed in some other suitable manner, to producethe necessary strength.

are to be used with this disk or plate, and for that purpose twoopenings, A, are provided,

as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, Each opening extends entirely across theplate, but the plate, at each end of the opening, has a downward flangeor lip, A, forming an opening, A, as shown-in Fig. 9. Although twoknives are shown, one could be used and do the work of cutting, or morethan two, if so desired. As shown, the openings are arranged in parallellines on opposite sides of the plate, and also on opposite sides of thecenter opening, as shown in Fig. 4.

B is a block or head, of steel or other suitable material, of a lengthto correspond to the width of the rim or ring forming the body of thecutting plate or disk A, at the point where the openings A are located,and one end, I), of this head or block is cut out or formed so as tocorrespond with the circle at the center of the disk or plate, while itsopposite end is made to conform to the periphery or outer edge of theplate or disk when the block is inserted. an opening, B, wider at thebottom than the top, as shown in Fig. 8, which opening extends nearlythe entire length of the head or block, as shown in Fig. 7, and, asshown, a

This block, on oneside, has I As shown, two knives stiffening bar orrim, U, is provided tran s versely at the center of the head or block.The upper face of this head or block is provided with a groove 'orrecess, to receive a clampingstrip, B, one edge of which is inclined, sothat when in position an inclined slot is formed between this inclinedface and the adjacent inclined face of the head or block B. Each side ofthis head-or block, at the upper end, is provided with an inclined slotor opening, I), which receives a corresponding-shaped flange or rib, b,formed by the edges of the opening A in the plate'or disk A, as shown inFig. 9,

so that when the block is slipped into posi-- and of such length as toextend across ornearly across the head or block longitudinally. Thisknife 0 is inserted in the inclined open-- ing between the inclinedfaces of the strip B and the head or block 13, as shown in Fig. 8, andis held in position by forcing the strip B down by set-screws b or othersuitable means, and the projection of the cutting-edge of the knifeabove the surface of the block is adjusted by means of set-screws c,which pass through bosses c on the under face of the head or block, tohave their inner ends engage the lower edge of the knife 0, as shown inFigs. 7 and 8; and

these set-screws c are locked against further movement when the desiredadjustment is reached by suitably-locking nuts 0, which are made toengage with the end of the respective bosses c.

In putting the parts together the strip B is to be loosened sufficientlyto allow of the in sertion of the knife 0, which drops into the openingbetween the inclined face of the strip B and the coinciding face of theblock B,with its lower edge resting on the ends of the setscrews 0, bymeans of which it is raised or lowered,to give the proper proj eetion tothe cutting-edge, and when adjusted the knife is locked firmly inposition by setting down the strip B through the set-screws I)", orotherwise. The head or block is slipped into the opening therefor in theplate A, bringing its upper face in line with the upper face of theplate and its ends in line with the periphery of the plate and theopening at the center thereof, and when in place it can be locked bypassing a screw between its edge and the edge of the plate A, one halfof the opening for such screw being in the edge of the plate and theother in the edge of the head; or it could be locked in place in someother suitable manner. This construction enables the knife to be readilyand quickly adjusted, to give the proper projection above the surface ofthe plate, and it also allows of a ready withdrawal of the head andremoval of theknife therefrom, for the purpose of sharpening orreplacing the knife in case of breakage, or for other cause, and byusing this head a free discharge of cut material is provided through theopening B, which, being wider at the bottom, will not become filled orclogged up, but must remain open under all ordinary conditions. Theledge A furnishes a rest for the head 13 at each end, and alsostrengthens the plate at the point where the knife is inserted,preventing warping or springing of the plate in use. 7

D represents a ring or rim of metal having inwardly-projecting arms orspokes D, connecting the ring or rim with a center, and these spokes orarms D are each provided on both sides with a \l-shaped groove, and aresomewhat wider than the thickness of the ring or rim, so as to bring theV-shaped grooves below the under face of the ring.

E represents a plate of metal, corresponding in size to the size of theopening between the arms D and the ring D and its center, and having itsedges of a V shape, to fit the V-shaped grooves in the arms, and havingits ends formed on a curve corresponding to the curve of he ring and itscenter. As many of these plates are to be used as there are openingsformed by the arms D, and when inserted in the spaces they formafeeding-disk in connection with the ring and its arms, by means ofwhich the material to be cut is brought into position for the knives orcutters to operate thereon, the openings 0 being of suificientdimensions to readily pass the material to be out. These plates are eachprovided with a finger or hand piece, 0, by which they can be withdrawnfor cleaning or repairs, and the plates are held in positionby means oflocking-pieces (Z and set-bolts d, the set-bolts being screw-threadedand entering screw-threaded openings in the ring or rim. Thelocking-pieces d are located one in line with each arm D, and they areso formed as to project, when in locking position, over the edge of theplate 011 each side of the arm, and to remove the plate the set-bolt dis loosened and the upper end of the lockingpiece, turned aroundsidewise, leaving a clear space for the withdrawal of the plate on oneside, and by turning this end so that it comes on the opposide side ofthe arm the plate on that side can be removed, it being understood, ofcourse, that the two locking-pieces for each plate are reversed to clearthe plate. By providing the locking devices shown and described forholding the sections of the feeding-plate inposition,eachsectioncanbeindependentlyremoved and replaced, and bymaking a feeding-plate of removable sections the plates can be withdrawnreadily and quickly, for the purpose of clearing the feed-openings, or ior making other repairs or replacing a plate in case of break age. I

F represents the feeding-cone, down which the material runs to pass onthe feeding-plate. As shown in Fig. 2, this cone has a tubular end orextension, F, for the passage of a drivingshaft for the rotarycutter-plate A, and the cone, with the feeding-plate D D E, aresupported by a downwardly-projeeting bearing, j, which enters a ring, f,011 a collar, f, which collar is secured to the drivingshaft by asuitable pin or otherwise, so that the shaft is free to revolve withoutaffecting the cone.

G represents the driving-shaft for the rotary cutting-plate, stepped orsupported at its lower end, 9, in a suitable box or hearing, andsupported at its upper end in a bearing or box, k.

H. represents the hopper, of a cylindrical form, and having its lowerend provided with a number of slides, 71 which can be raised or lowered,so as to produce a large or small opening between their ends and theface of the cone, as may be desired for the feed. This hopper H issupported from the upper end of the frame-work of the machine bysuspendingrods 71 the lower ends of which are secured IOO to the hopperand their upper ends pass through the top plate or piece of the frame,and ar e providedwith adj listing-nuts, by means of which the hopper canbe raised or lowered to bring its lower end nearer to or farther awayfrom the face of the cone, to decrease or increase the space at that endbetween the hopperand the cone to suit the material and the feed. Thefeed can be regulated by raising and lowering the hopper; but byproviding the slides h an increase or decrease can to a certain extentbe made in the feed without changing the position of the hopper inrela-. tion to the cone.

I represents a cylindrical receptacle having an inclined bottom, I, anddischargespout, I, and located around the cutting devices, for thepurpose of receiving any uncut material which may be thrown off by themovement of the feeding-platc.

J represents a cylindrical receptacle having an inclined bottom, J, anda discharge-spout, J, and located within the receptacle L and around thecutting devices, to receive the out material. The bottom J of thisreceptacle has a center tube, j, which encircles the shaft G, and bymeans of which the receptacle is supported, the end of the tube restingon a suitable collar or pin on the shaft. This support is such as toallow a free vibratory movement of the receptacles, to facilitate thedischarge of the uncut and eutmaterial from each receptacle. As shown,the under face of the ring D has secured thereto aiiap of rubber orother suitable material, 1', which extends over and around the entireperiphery of the cuttingplate, and forms a guard against the dischargeof the cut material at the periphery of the plate. I

K represents uprights or standards, united at their lower ends bycrosspieces 1", which cross-pieces support the bearing g of the shaft G.The standards or uprights K may be formed as shown, or otherwise, andtheir upper ends, as shown, are joined to a ring, top' plate, or piece,K, by bolts or otherwise, on which top piece is supported the bearing orbox k, and through which top piece the rods h pass L L are fast andloose pulleys, for driving the shaft G from a suitable drivingmechanism.

The cone F and the feeding-plate D D E are to be oscillated by devicessimilar in construction and arrangement to those shown in Patent No.251,012, for oscillating the cone and feeding-plate of that machine; orthis oscillation can be produced in some other suitable manner.

The receptacles I and J are similar in con struction and arrangement tothe receptacles shown in said Patent No. 251,012, and are for the samepurpose, and the cone F is similar in construction and for the samepurpose as the cone of the Patent No. 251,012. It will be understoodthat this cone, with the arms D and ring or rim, could be cast or formedfrom a single piece; or the cone could be separate and the arms or ringbe secured thereto in any suitable manner.

. The operation is as follows: The material to be operated upon isplaced in the hopper H,

\the hopper being adjusted by the rods h to suit the material and thefeed being regulated by the slides 71 The material passes down thesurface of the cone or taper F onto the sections E of the feedingplate,and by the oscillating movement of such plate is shaken through theopeningsc, projecting below the under surface of the plate in positionfor the plates or knives to act and cut or sever such projectingportions, which, with the portion from which it is severed, passesthrough the openings 13 and falls into the receptacle J,

from which it is discharged into the spout J.

As before stated, a single knife can be used in the cuttiiigplate, butfor rapid cutting two are preferred. The feeding-plate should havesufficient oscillation given to it to stir the ma terial sufficiently tocause the grains or particles to enter the perforation or holes, butsuch movement should not be so great as to throw oifor discharge thematerial at the periphery.

The advantages of the present construction are: the knife or cutter isremovabl y secured in place on the plate A, and can be readily andquickly removed for sharpening or other purposes, the f ceding-plate,madeup of sections, and the sections held by the locking-pieces d, canbe readily and quickly cleaned, all that is necessary to be done beingto unloosen the lock, slip the plate out, clean it and replace it; andthis construction of feed-plate enables repairs to be made, or asectionreplaced in case of breakage and by providing an adjustable hopper withsecondary feed-slides the feed can be changed to suit the material,often times without changing the position of the hopper in relation tothe feed-cone.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is r 1.The combination of the block B, having one side provided with aninclined longitudinal slot, and a cutting-blade, C, secured in saidinclined slot to stand in an oblique position relative to the edges ofthe block, with a plate or disk, A, constructed with a radial opening,A", in which the block is secured, the edges of the radial opening andthe longitudinal edges of thebloek engaging each other, substantially asdescribed.

2. The combination of. thebloek 13, provided with a longitudinalinclined slot, and a cutting-blade secured in said slot to stand in afixed oblique position relative to the block, with a plate or disk, A,having aradial opening, A', within which the block is removably secured,substantially as described.

3. The combination of the head or block having a longitudinal discharge--opening, B, and blade-receiving slot arranged adjacent thereto, and aclamping-plate, 13, with the 4 zsaoao blade 0, secured in said slot, andthe disk or plate A, having a radial slot, A, in which the head or blockis detachably secured.

4. The head or block 13, havingadischargeopening, B, in combination Withthe knife or blade 0 and clamping-strip B, for securing the knife orblade firmly in position, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

5. A head or block, 13, having a dischargeopening, B, in combinationwith a blade or knife, 0, adjustingserews c and 7) and lock ing-stripB", Substantially as and for thepnrposes specified.

6. A rotary cutting plate or disk, A, having an opening, A, with bevelededges, and a flange, A, at each end of the opening, for supporting ahead or block carrying a knife,- substantially as specified.

7. The plate or disk A, having an opening, A", with beveled edges andflanges A at each end of the opening, in combination with a head orblock, B, having a discharge-opening, B,

an annular lower end, provided with a series I of adjustable slides, 72,substantially as described.

SAMUEL K. \VHITE.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. ADAMs, EDGAR T. BOND.

